1) in the picture above - is the "ceremony" the Playa Nueva location? Do you know where the Playa Yaluka beach location is?

2) Any thoughts/comments on the hair/makeup artists at the resort? Do you know what products they use? I am thinking about paying for an external vendor to do my hair and makeup - http://www.saratamargo.com/

3) Photographers at the resort - thoughts/comments?

Many thanks!

Alex

Hey Alex,

Here are my opinions/comments to your questions:

1. In the photo above 'ceremony' is actually at Playa Palapa - @JoannaBanana was showing where everything was at the private beach. Playa Nueva is actually on the main beach just off to the left towards the spa. I am not exactly sure where beach yaluka is as I am not sure I have heard of any brides using this space? (if you have a resort map, it may be on there)

2. I used the spa for my hair and makeup, as did my 3 bridesmaid's and everyone LOVED their work. I had Carmen and then Isis did the girls. They had a 3rd lady helping but I didn't catch her name. They use MAC products but they don't have airbrush. Personally I think they did a PHENOMENAL job!!!! I had a hair trial just to ensure it held up in the heat (I have curly hair that I flat iron so I was worried it wouldn't hold, but it did). I have heard no bad complaints from the reviews on Carmen and Isis. If you do decide to use an outside vendor just ensure you know the fees. I had inquired once and it was a penalty per person using their services, plus a day pass for each person that came on site. It was like $600 plus dollars - ouch! then the fees for services.

3. I used Adventure Photos. What I did was request all their work and from that I picked the photos I liked the best. After that I requested who had shot those weddings and requested to have this lady do my wedding. Unfortunately the lady I had is no longer there. I do know they have other good photographers though, as maybe brides have complimented them (on here and on the FB group). That said, they recently just upped their prices for some packages substantially, so even with the outside vendor fee you can get an outside photographer for close to the same price, if there is one off site that is more to your taste.

-Kim

Married on 2015/01/21 at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya with 43 guests in attendance

Should I be booking my photographer yet? I hadn't put much thought in to it. I'm going to go with the basic Adventure Photos package.

If you plan to use them and not look outside then I say why not! Unless policy changed you don't even have to put down a deposit. I just checked in every couple of months and asked questions as needed. They were super helpful with timelines and such.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

-Kim

Married on 2015/01/21 at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya with 43 guests in attendance

I had my wedding in January at 3pm. It was hot but bearable. I wouldn't change it. Sun set at 530
So even if I moved it to 330 (to have enough time for pics) the temp would have been the same!

I would suggest doing it no later than 2 hours before sunset. Depending how many pics you want done, you may be able to start at 4pm? But if you want pics all over the resort you will need time and 330pm is probably best.

Not sure what you mean by the brides page?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

-Kim

Married on 2015/01/21 at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya with 43 guests in attendance

Just 2 months away from our wedding. Quick question - does the resort do name cards at each place setting (they asked me for the name and table # for all guests).
Anyone have an idea where I could get mini maracas for the wedding as favors ? Thinking of sending someone into Playa deal Carmen to buy them there but if I could actually arrange for them it would be much easier... Maybe even ones I could get custom made with our names and wedding date
Thanks

Just 2 months away from our wedding. Quick question - does the resort do name cards at each place setting (they asked me for the name and table # for all guests).
Anyone have an idea where I could get mini maracas for the wedding as favors ? Thinking of sending someone into Playa deal Carmen to buy them there but if I could actually arrange for them it would be much easier... Maybe even ones I could get custom made with our names and wedding date
Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No they don't do name cards for you. The only reason I assume they ask for the table numbers is to know how many tables you want and how big.

I got my maracas from amols.com as they were super cheap. Shipping would depend where you live. Playa del Carmen would sell them and I've heard of brides doing that -- you'd probably just not be able to be picky on colors and take what they have . I wanted mine on hand as I personalized them myself and didn't want to do that in Mexico and take time away from my fun lol

Some have used Maracas Mexico. A bit pricier but they personalize them for you. I believe they'll ship right to the resort just ask the WC if that's allowed at the GS and that they'll store them for you. Some resorts don't allow it as they don't want the liability.

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

-Kim

Married on 2015/01/21 at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya with 43 guests in attendance